Silver Streak Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A book editor’s romantic train ride turns into a high-speed chase involving art forgery, murder, and a whole lot of getting thrown off the train.

🍿 Silver Streak: Detailed Plot Synopsis

An Unlikely Encounter

George Caldwell, a book editor, boards the Silver Streak train from Los Angeles to Chicago seeking a relaxing trip. He meets Hilly Burns, a beautiful woman working for Professor Schreiner, an art scholar. Their connection is immediate, leading to a romantic encounter.

A Deadly Discovery

During the night, George witnesses a man being thrown off the train. He suspects foul play, but Hilly dismisses it as a dream. George becomes convinced that he saw Professor Schreiner murdered. His attempts to investigate make him a target.

Accusations and Alliances

George is framed for murder and forced off the train multiple times. He encounters Grover Muldoon, a car thief, who becomes an unlikely ally. Together, they attempt to clear George’s name and protect Hilly from the true killers.

Disguise and Deception

To evade the police, Grover helps George disguise himself using shoe polish to appear as a black man. This leads to a memorable, albeit controversial, scene at a train station, showcasing the comedic chemistry between Wilder and Pryor. George manages to board the train again.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• George Caldwell (Gene Wilder): A mild-mannered book editor who witnesses a murder on a train and becomes entangled in a dangerous conspiracy.
• Hildegard ‘Hilly’ Burns (Jill Clayburgh): A charming woman on the train who becomes romantically involved with George and is caught in the middle of the art fraud scheme.
• Grover T. Muldoon (Richard Pryor): A quick-witted car thief who helps George evade the police and uncover the truth.
• Roger Devereau (Patrick McGoohan): The ruthless and sophisticated millionaire art dealer who orchestrates the murder and art fraud scheme.
• Bob Sweet (Ned Beatty): An undercover federal agent investigating Devereau’s art forgeries who is later murdered.
• Reace (Richard Kiel): Devereux’s imposing and silent henchman who uses his size to intimidate.
• Sheriff Chauncey (Clifton James): A small-town sheriff who initially doubts George’s story but eventually aids him.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• George Caldwell: “Son of a bitch!” – George repeatedly yells this (or some variation of it) whenever he is thrown off the train or finds himself in a dangerous situation.
• Grover T. Muldoon: “What are you worried about? That it might not come off?” – Grover says this when George hesitates before applying shoe polish to his face as part of their disguise plan.
• Grover T. Muldoon: “We aim to please.” – Grover says this to Devereau when he serves him breakfast as a porter, right before ‘accidentally’ pouring hot coffee in his lap.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $6.5M
• Domestic Gross: $51.08M
• Worldwide Gross: $51.08M

💥 Silver Streak Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely love Silver Streak! It’s such a fun mix of genres, and the chemistry between Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor is undeniable. I remember watching it as a kid and being captivated by the train setting and all the crazy antics. The scene where Wilder tries to disguise himself as a black man is both hilarious and a bit cringeworthy now, but it’s still a memorable part of the movie. The ending with the train crashing through the station is just epic. Definitely a comfort movie for me!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor”
  • “Viewers who enjoy comedy-thrillers”
  • “Those interested in classic 1970s films”
  • “People who appreciate train-themed movies”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Racial Stereotypes (specifically the blackface scene)”
  • “Sexual Innuendo”
  • “Strong Language”

Professional Reviews

• Collider.com: “”Silver Streak” is perfect pairing of Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor. Wilder plays an ordinary man caught in extraordinary circumstances, while Pryor injects hip coolness into the old-fashioned adventure-comedy concept.
• IMDB: “A mild Hitchcock parody that is a nice little blend of comedy and mystery. The first film in which Wilder teamed with Richard Pryor, yet Wilder and Pryor are only together for a small percentage of the overall film. The film has a strong enough foundation to work anyway.
• N/A: “A homage to the 1934 original, Hitchcock, action/comedy starring Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor.This is the first in a wonderful lovely run of Wilder/Pryor movies.

Audience Reactions

The chemistry between Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor is fantastic.: Viewers love the blend of comedy, action, and suspense.

The train crash at the end is spectacular and memorable.: The outrageous disguises and constant train ejections are cited as highlights.

Overall Consensus: Silver Streak is a beloved comedy-thriller that blends humor, action, and suspense, with the dynamic duo of Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor stealing the show, despite some dated elements.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Sound)- 1977

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Amtrak was fearful of adverse publicity and refused to cooperate with filming in the United States, leading the production to use the Canadian Pacific Railway and film in Canada.”
• “Colin Higgins, the writer, was heavily influenced by Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘North by Northwest,’ incorporating elements of mistaken identity and suspenseful action into the comedy.”
• “This was the first of four collaborations between Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor. They went on to become one of the most iconic comedy duos in film history.”

🖥️ How to Watch Silver Streak?

Silver Streak is available for rent or purchase on various platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for television airings. Physical copies on DVD and Blu-ray can also be purchased through major retailers. For streaming, consider subscribing to services that offer rotating selections of classic films.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Silver Streak, you might like these similar films:

• North by Northwest (1959): Shares the ‘wrong man’ theme and suspenseful tone of Silver Streak, with an ordinary protagonist caught in extraordinary circumstances.
• Foul Play (1978): Another comedy thriller written by Colin Higgins, blending humor with suspense and romance in a similar style.
• Stir Crazy (1980): Another classic Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor comedy, showcasing their comedic chemistry in a different but equally entertaining setting.
• Murder on the Orient Express (1974): A classic whodunit set on a train, offering a different take on mystery and intrigue.

🛒 Silver Streak Related Products

• Silver Streak [Blu-ray]: Relive the classic comedy in stunning high definition. This Blu-ray edition offers improved picture and sound quality, bringing the train ride to life like never before.
• Gene Wilder: Some Kind of Wonderful: The Gene Wilder Story (DVD): A loving look into the life, career and legacy of Gene Wilder. You’ll discover the man behind the characters.
• Train Model – Silver Streak Inspired: A detailed replica of the Silver Streak train. Perfect to keep on a shelf and remind you of the movie.
• Richard Pryor: Live in Concert [DVD]: Experience the raw comedic genius of Richard Pryor in this legendary stand-up performance. See why he was one of the most influential comedians of all time.

🎧 Soundtrack

Silver Streak features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Silver Streak” – performed by Henry Mancini
• “End Credits” – performed by Henry Mancini

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Silver Streak- Train 🚂 crash

Remember that awesome train crash in Silver Streak? Well, here it is in all its glory! Seriously, this scene is epic and you have to see it again.

You PROBABLY REMEMBER this CLASSIC SCENE that would NEVER BE ALLOWED in a movie today! SILVER STREAK

Ever wonder if some of the jokes in your favorite old movies would fly today? This video breaks down a scene from Silver Streak that definitely wouldn’t! It’s wild to see how much things have changed.

Gene Wilder – ‘Silver Streak’ – the shoe-polish scene (22/26)

Want to hear Gene Wilder talk about THAT shoe polish scene from Silver Streak? It’s hilarious! I love hearing his perspective on how they made the movie.

✨ Rate